'Revived' Johnson ready to face Proteas in Perth Test

Mitchell Johnson has claimed he is ready to bowl against South Africa in the Perth Test, starting on Friday, after he was handed the chance to bowl himself back into the Test team for Australia's series-decider against South Africa.

Johnson was drafted into a super-sized squad of 14 along with NSW pace man Josh Hazlewood and Victorian all-rounder John Hastings.

The three fast bowlers, along with Adelaide 12th man Mitchell Starc, will spend the next three days competing for the right to replace the injured James Pattinson at the WACA Ground from Friday.

The selectors stacked the squad with fast bowlers to provide cover for Peter Siddle, who bowled himself to exhaustion in an unsuccessful effort to win the Adelaide Test, and to a lesser extent Ben Hilfenhaus.

Rob Quiney was omitted to accommodate the return of Shane Watson and, as expected, Ricky Ponting lives to fight another day.

Johnson claimed 4-103 from 30 overs against South Australia in Hobart on Monday and cracked the helmet of Tim Paine with a vicious bouncer.